The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians, Islamic scholars told the Pope today.

In a letter addressed directly to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, 138 prominent Muslim scholars said that finding common ground between the world's biggest two religions was not "simply a matter for polite ecumenical dialogue".

The letter, which is entitled A Common Word between Us and You, says: "Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world's population. Without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians."

The 29-page document argues that the basis for this understanding can be found in the common principles of the religions: "Love of the one God, and love of the neighbour".

Supporting their argument with quotations from both the Bible and the Qur'an, the signatories say that Mohammed was told the same truths that had already been revealed to previous Christian and Jewish prophets, including Jesus.

But the scholars also stress that there is more at stake than "polite ecumenical dialogue" between religious leaders.

"With the terrible weaponry of the modern world; with Muslims and Christians intertwined everywhere as never before, no side can unilaterally win a conflict between more than half of the world's inhabitants. Thus our common future is at stake. The very survival of the world itself is perhaps at stake," the letter says.

It adds that the Qur'an entreats Muslims to treat Christians and Jews with particular friendship, though it also warns against aggression from Christians.

"We say to Christians that we are not against them and that Islam is not against them - so long as they do not wage war against Muslims on account of their religion, oppress them and drive them out of their homes," the letter says.

Organised by the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, a non-governmental organisation based in Amman, Jordan, the document comes a year after another open letter to the Pope following a controversial speech in which he quoted a medieval text linking Islam and violence.

The institute said: "This historic letter is intended by its 138 signatories as an open invitation to Christians to unite with Muslims over the most essential aspects of their respective faiths - the principles of love of one God and love of the neighbour.

"It is hoped that the recognition of this common ground will provide the followers of both faiths with a shared understanding that will serve to defuse tensions around the world."

Many of the signatories are grand muftis who each have tens of millions of followers. There are four British supporters, including the Cambridge academic Shaykh Dr Abdul Hakim Murad Winter.

At the letter's UK launch, Professor Dr Aref Ali Nayed, one of the British signatories, warned people not to get "too hung up" on expecting an answer from the pope.

Dr Nayed, a senior adviser to Cambridge University's interfaith programme, said: "It has taken almost three years to build this momentum and consensus, it is unprecedented. Every person who extends his hand for a handshake would like something in return but we're offering this as free love. It's not a competition. It's not about reciprocity.

"Islam calls upon us to do this."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, one of the recipients, welcomed the pledge to further dialogue between the two faiths.

"The theological basis of the letter and its call to respect each other, be fair, just and kind to another, are indicative of the kind of relationship for which we yearn in all parts of the world especially where Christians and Muslims live together.

"It is particularly important in underlining the need for respect towards minorities in contexts where either Islam or Christianity is the majority presence."

The common scriptural foundations for Jews, Christians and Muslims would be the basis for justice and peace in the world, he said.

"The call should now be taken up by Christians and Muslims at all levels and in all countries and I shall endeavour in this country and internationally, to do my part in working for the righteousness which this letter proclaims as our common goal."

A Common Word coincides with the end of Ramadan and comes just days after the Vatican's official Eid message, which urged Muslims to respect people of all faiths and not exclude them on the ground of religion, race or any other personal characteristic.

Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran, the newly appointed president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, has expressed concern about the treatment of Christians in Muslim-majority nations.

In his Eid statement, he called for a "culture of peace and solidarity" and for religious believers to spread a teaching "which honours all human creatures".